Kyungnam University Institute for Far Eastern Studies Holds 77th Unification Strategy Forum

Exploring a New Paradigm for the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula

The Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University held the 77th Unification Strategy Forum on March 26 at Jeongsan Hall, under the theme of "Exploring a New Paradigm for the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

Group photo of the 77th Unification Strategy Forum.

In his welcoming remarks, Director Lee Gwanse emphasized, "We are facing a grave situation where global principles are being shaken, as evidenced by the omission of the phrase 'denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula' in key security documents such as the U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) and China’s Defense White Paper. In order to respond to North Korea’s 'Cold Peace' policy, it is now necessary to break away from past frameworks and pursue a cool-headed and creative approach."

In the keynote speech, former Unification Minister Kim Yeonchul stated, "We need to acknowledge the reality that the discourse on denuclearization has disappeared." He suggested that, while the long-term goal of denuclearization should be maintained, there is an urgent need for a shift in perspective: in the short term, the nuclear threat should be reduced through 'operational arms control,' such as halting nuclear tests and activities. He particularly proposed prioritizing the establishment of a peace regime, alongside building conventional military trust and implementing phased sanctions relief.

During the first session, moderated by Director Lee Gwanse, Cho Sungryul, visiting professor at the Department of Military Studies at Kyungnam University, proposed a "hard security exchange," in which a freeze on North Korea’s nuclear program would be traded for a halt in the deployment of strategic assets. He also cited as a core alternative the institutionalization of a "dual snapback" mechanism: in the event of a violation by North Korea, both the restoration of sanctions by the United States, China, and Russia, and the cutoff of infrastructure would be triggered simultaneously.

In response, Professor Lee Byungchul of the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University proposed a "Good Divorce" strategy, which entails setting a dispassionate relationship between the two Koreas with no mutual interference. Baek Seunghyuk, research fellow at Seoul National University’s Center for Nuclear Policy, suggested technical enforcement devices such as a "kill-switch" for offshore power plants, which would immediately cut off electricity in the event of an agreement violation.

Next, Lee Sanghyun, honorary research fellow at the Sejong Institute, analyzed that, in response to the transactional approach of the Trump administration, South Korea should leverage economic incentives such as imports of U.S. LNG and defense cooperation to prevent "Korea passing." He particularly stressed the need to codify the "No Surprise" principle between South Korea and the U.S. by thoroughly separating the stationing of U.S. Forces Korea and joint military exercises from North Korea nuclear negotiations, and urged a strategic approach to capitalize on potential rifts in North Korea–Russia relations that may emerge after the end of the war in Ukraine.

In response, Jeon Kyungjoo, director of the Center for Korean Peninsula Security at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, suggested that, rather than being impatient for the resumption of North Korea-U.S. talks, South Korea’s diplomacy with the U.S. should focus on identifying realistic negotiating agendas such as a nuclear freeze through prior consultations between the allies. Noh Kyudeok, visiting professor at Halla University, emphasized the urgent need for close prior coordination and measures to prevent any weakening of the alliance, so that the South Korea-U.S. alliance is not put on the negotiating table during North Korea-U.S. talks.

In the second session, moderated by Yang Moojin, chair professor at the University of North Korean Studies, Choi Yonghwan, deputy director of the Institute for National Security Strategy, argued that it is necessary to move away from the "North Korea nuclear-first" approach and instead focus on securing "strategic stability," including the prevention of accidental clashes and arms control. He particularly advised that a multilateral cooperation framework involving neighboring countries such as China and Russia should be established in advance to induce North Korea’s participation indirectly, and that there should be a social consensus on a new unification discourse based on peaceful coexistence, excluding absorption unification.

In response, Kim Sangbeom, professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, argued that North Korea has now entered a phase where it is focusing on "how to use" its nuclear arsenal, and that South Korea must also redefine its national role accordingly. Chung Youngchul, vice dean of the Graduate School of Public Policy at Sogang University, emphasized that North Korea’s "two-state theory" is a long-term choice, and called for a social debate to boldly revise legal and institutional frameworks, including constitutional provisions, to reflect current realities.

Subsequently, Lee Jeongcheol, professor of political science and international relations at Seoul National University, advocated for an active "pacemaker" role by proactively mediating a "direct visit by President Trump to Pyongyang or Wonsan" to open the door to North Korea-U.S. dialogue. He underscored the importance of a flexible attitude that accepts peace declarations among North Korea, China, and the U.S. without South Korea’s participation, and presented as a practical alternative local government-led indirect exchanges aligned with four major China-linked cooperation projects and North Korea’s "20×10 local development policy."

In response, Cho Byungjae, distinguished visiting professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, suggested lowering the threshold for North Korea-U.S. dialogue by shifting its nature from "problem-solving" to "risk management," while also designing safeguards to ensure South Korea is not excluded from the mediation process. Koo Kapwoo, professor at the University of North Korean Studies, diagnosed that the essence of North Korea-U.S. negotiations is a "game of mutual recognition of sovereignty," and recommended that South Korea initiate a public discussion on revising domestic laws and systems that reflect hostility toward North Korea to facilitate mutual recognition between the two Koreas. The session continued with heated debate.

Director Lee Gwanse stated, "This forum served as an opportunity to pool wisdom for securing policy autonomy for our government amid the complex crisis of North Korea’s legalization of its nuclear arsenal and the transactionalism of the Trump administration. I hope that the 'multilateral complex security governance' discussed today will become a practical milestone leading the Korean Peninsula from a conflict zone into an era of peaceful coexistence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.